Destructor sterilizer

ABSTRACT

For use with an underwater ordnance device having a water tight casing, a main weapon battery, and a firing device responsive to a predetermined decrease in voltage, a sterilizer including: a sea water battery positioned inside the casing and connected in oppsition to the main weapon battery; a pair of normally open stationary contacts connected across the main weapon battery; an electrolytically timed switch for closing the contacts; and a movable sealing plug responsive to the electrolytically timed switch to flood the ordnance device.

9 United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,745,922 Lyon 1451 July 17, 1973 1 DESTRUCTOR STERILIZER 2,853,006 9/1958 Moir 102/16 [75] Inventor: Robert J. Lyon, Silver Spring, Md. 298899l 6/1961 Elmer [73] Assignee; The t i i Amglca i Primary Examiner-Verlin R, Pendegrass a F e S g W o e Attorney-J. P. Dunlavey, J. O. Tresansky and J. C.

avy, as mg on, Goldstein [22] Filed: July 19, 1968 211 App]. No.: 747,036 [57] ABSTRACT Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 475,631, July 27, For underwfter ordnance dev'ce havmg a 1965, Pat No 3,559,580, which is a water tlght casing, a main weapon battery, and a firing mminuatiomimpart f s 339,308, Jam 21, device responsive to a predetermined decrease in volt- 1964, Pat. No. 3,205,321. age, a sterilizer including: a sea water battery positioned inside the casing and connected in oppsition to [52] U.S. Cl. 102/16 the main weapon y; a p f normally open sta- [51] Int. Cl. F42c 3/00 tionary con acts connected across the main weapon [58] Field of Search 102/7, l0, 13, 16, y; an r ly ically t med Switch for closing the 102/702 contacts; and a movable sealing plug responsive to the electrolytically timed switch to flood the ordnance de- [56] References Cited vice.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 C 3 D F 1,310,586 7/1919 Straub et al. 102 7 gums DESTRUCTOR STERILIZER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 475,631, filed July 27, 1965 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,580, for Flooder Assembly which is, in turn, a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 339,308, filed Jan. 21, 1964, for Miniature Electrolytic Timer with an Erodable Anode, issued as US. Pat. No. 3,205,321 on Sept. 7, 1965.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to underwater sterilizers and more particularly, to a flooding and exploding assembly to effect self destruction of underwater ordnance devices at a predetermined time and/or upon leakage.

In military applications, frequently the need exists to self-destroy a previously planted underwater ordnance device, such as a mine. A wide variety of solutions to such a problem have been suggested. One such technique is the electrolytically timed flooder assembly disclosed in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 475,631 which allows a weapon to be flooded after a relatively accurate pre-set time period. However, such a technique does not also explode and destroy the weapon which, after flooding, is resting on the bottom where it can be recovered by the enemy. Other types of existing flooding assemblies utilize electrolytic plugs which have the same aforementioned deficiencies and, in addition, cannot be as accurately time controlled as the aforementioned electrolytic flooder assembly since the time delay is dependent on the salinity, temperature, and pressure of the water in which they are used. Still other types of present day underwater ordnance sterilizers close switches to short batteries and tire explosive fittings to sink underwater weapons and open switches to break firing circuits. Here, too, the weapon can be recovered by the enemy, and a secondary explosive device is required.

Other electro-chemical sterilizers presently in existence are designed to close switches after a preset time. These sterilizers, although rather accurately time controlled, do not provide flooding unless one of the switch closures completes a circuit to an explosive device which opens a hole in the weapon case. The explosive devices are dangerous to handle and may necessitate the use of dry cells with a limited shelf life. Furthermore, without the flooding function, any malfunction of the sterilizers explosive function may result in the weapons easy recovery by the enemy at or near the surface.

Moreover, while the prior art has contemplated ster-v ilizers for disarming and/or self-destroying an underwater ordnance device after a predetermined time period, a need has also existed for a sterilizer which, in addition to performing the aforementioned functions, also explodes the weapon if water should leak into the inside of the weapon casing prematurely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a new and improved sterilizer for underwater devices.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an underwater ordnance sterilizer which may be accurately timed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved underwater ordnance sterilizer which both floods and explodes the underwater ordnance device.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a new and improved underwater ordnance sterilizer which both floods and explodes the underwater ordnance device after an accurately controlled time interval.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved underwater ordnance device sterilizer which both floods and explodes the ordnance device after an accurately controlled time interval and which also explodes the ordnance device if it leaks prematurely.

Another still further object of the instant invention is the provision of a new and improved underwater ordnance device sterilizer which both. floods and explodes the ordnance device after an accurately controlled time interval and which also explodes the ordnance device if it leaks prematurely, all without. any auxiliary explosive device.

Briefly in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, these and other objects are attained by a sterilizer having dual provisions for exploding the device in response to water leakage and for flooding and exploding the device after the passage of a predetermined time interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view, partly in section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof wherein the sterilizer of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 and includes a cylindrical, hollow shell, or housing, 12 which is open at end 14 and at reduced end 16 and dcfines a chamber 18 thercbetween.

The sterilizer is adapted to be sealingly connected to the casing 20 of an underwater ordnance device, such for example as a mine, by means of an insert 22 having shoulders 24 and 26 and an annular groove 28. The insert is positioned in an aperture 30 formed in the casing so that shoulder 26 abuts against the outer surface of casing and is sealed thereagainst by any suitable con ventional means. An O-ring 32 is positioned between a pair of parallel annular flanges 34 and 36 externally formed around the circumference of shell 12. A retaining ring 38 is snapped into groove 28 to abut against flange 36 thereby forming a fluid tight seal between the sterilizer l0, O-ring 32, and insert 22. A plurality of apertures 40 are provided in shell 12 to permit open fluid communication between the interior of the sterilizer and the interior of underwater ordnance device casing 20.

Chamber 18 in shell 12 is closed at end 14 by an end plate 42 having an aperture therein through which a control rod 44, connected to a pair of conventional rotary electrical switches 46, extends. A selector dial 48 is secured to control rod 44 to provide a visual indication of the position of rotary switches 46 as will be more fully described hereinafter. Also positioned within chamber 18 is a conventional sea water battery 49 which is kept dry and inactive so long as no water is allowed to enter the chamber.

Sealingly secured to reduced end 16 of shell 12 is a right angle, hollow, housing member 50. Housing member 50 may be secured to shell 12 byany conventional arrangement and, in the preferred embodiment, both the housing member and shell are made of aluminum and the connection is effected by welding as at 52.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, housing member 50 contains a pair of identical mechanisms which are operationally connected in parallel to add an extra degreeof reliability; however, only one will be discussed herein. Positioned within housing member 50 is an electrolytic switching device 54 for longitudinally moving an elongate rod 56 extending therein after a predetermined time interval. It should be understood that the particular electrolytic timer utilized forms no part of this invention and may be selected from a variety of types such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. N 0. 3,205,321 issued to the present inventor, and in U.S. Pat. No. 2,526,670 issued to Kissinger et al.

Threadedly secured to rod 56 is a piston member 58 having an elongate reduced connecting rod portion 60 and a piston head 62. In the preferred embodiment, piston member 58 is made of Teflon, although Nylon or other similar synthetic materials may be used. Fixedly secured to piston member 58 at the lower extremity thereof is a ring shaped electrical contact 64 which, in its initial position as illustrated, is not in any circuit.

Secured to an electrical insulator 66 within housing member 50 are a pair of normally open electrical con tacts 68 and 70 in the form of spacially separated semicylindrical ring contacts.

A bore 72 and a counterbore 74 are provided in housing member 50 coaxially disposed above rod 56 and piston member 58.'A cylindrically shaped plunger 76, having a central portion 78 of a diameter substantially equal to that of bore 72, is slidably positiond in bore 72. Plunger 76 has an enlarged cap portion 80 which provides a shoulder for retaining an O-ring 82 in counterbore 74 to effect a fluid tight seal between the plunger and housing member 50. Plunger 76 also has a split reduced-diameter elongate lower portion 84 having a smooth walled, cylindrical cavity 86 formed therein with an opening 85 formed at the lower extremity thereof. Cavity 86 is of a diameter. substantially equal to piston head 62 which isslidably positioned in the former. For reasons which will become apparent hereinafter the longitudinal distance between the upper extremity of cavity 86 and of piston head 62 is made equal to or greater than the longitudinal distance between normally open contacts 68 and 70 and the circumferential edge of ring shaped contact 64. In the preferred embodiment, the plunger is made of Teflon, although other synthetic materials, such as Nylon, as well as other smooth materials may be used.

The electrical circuitry of the apparatus is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3. Terminals 89 are provided to permit connection of the main weapon battery 88in series opposition to sea water battery 49 of sterilizer 10 by a circuit path formed of leads 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98. Also connected in series with battery 88 is a conventional firing device 100 for exploding the ordnance device in response to a predetermined decrease in applied voltage. Battery 88 is also serially connected with rotary switch 46 and electrolytic switching device 54 by a circuit path composed ofleads 90, 110, 112, 1 14, 116 and 98. Normally, open contacts 68 and 70 are also connected across battery 88 by means of leads 90, 110, 118 and 96 and 98.

In operation, a desired time period, such for example as forty days, for sterilizer 10 is set by turning selector dial 48 to the appropriate setting. In this manner rotary switch 46 is set to include a particular resistor (not shown) in the electrical circuit which includes electrolytic switch device 54 to control the amount of current which flows through the electrolytic switch thereby controlling the internal erosion rate. A more complete illustration and explanation of this aspect, which forms no part of the instant invention, is shown in the aforeidentified application Ser. No. 475,631.

After the time period is set, the sterilizer is placed in underwater ordnance device casing 20 thereby fluidly sealing the interior of the ordnance device. When battery 88 is connected into the electrical circuit as illustrated in FIG. 3, the electrolytic switching device begins' its operation as current flows from battery 88, through leads 90, 110, and 112, rotary switch 46 and its internal resistor, lead 114, the electrolytic switch 54 and leads 116 and 98 back to battery 88. The passage of this electrical current causes the internal erosion within the electrolytic switch which provides the accurately controlled time delay.

At any time after the underwater ordnance device is emplaced, any leakage into casing 20 or into sterilizer 10 causes the explosion of the ordnance device. If water leaks into the system, sea water battery 49 is activated and generates a predetermined voltage. Since battery 49 is serially connected to battery 88 in polarity opposition therewith, actuation of battery 49 reduces the voltage applied to firing device 100. Since firing device 100 is responsive to a predetermined decrease in voltage to explode the ordnance device, actuation of battery 49, as by leakage, will destroy the ordnance device. This aspect of the invention is important to prevent recovery of an intact underwater ordnance device from the bottom after flooding thereof by the expedient of piercing its casing with a bullet.

If no leakage occurs at the end of the predetermined time period, electrolytic switch 54 is actuated, and rod 56 driven upward. After a rather small upward movement, ring shaped contact 64 touches contacts 68 and thereby effecting a complete electrical path between the contacts which provides a short circuit across battery 88 via leads 90, 110 and 118, contacts 68, 64 and 70, and leads 96 and 98. This short circuit likewise reduces the voltage applied to firing device to similarly explode the underwater ordnance device.

As rod 56 moves upward in response to the passage of time and actuation of the electrolytic switch, piston member 58 likewise moves upward with piston head 62 sliding further into cavity 86. It has been found desirable to allow rod 56 to move upward to close contacts 68 and 70 even if plunger 76 becomes stuck as by fouling and/or by the application of a positive force thereagainst. In this manner, even if plunger 76 cannot be moved by the electrolytic switch, the ordnance device will be exploded by the closing of contacts 68 and 70.

In the normal operation of the sterilizer, rod 56 continues upward, and piston member 58 drives plunger 76 upward thereby breaking the fluid seal between plunger 76 and housing member 50. Water thereupon flows into the sterilizer to actuate sea water battery 49 in the event that the prior closure of contacts 68 and 70 did not explode the ordnance device. Hence, a secondary arrangement for actuating firing device 100 is provided. Moreover, the water entering the sterilizer, also flows into chamber 18 and through bores 40 to flood the underwater ordnance device and sink it if the firing device fails altogether.

It should be apparent that additional reliability is provided by the use of parallel dual equipment, functioning in a similar manner in the sterilizer.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A destructor sterilizer for an underwater ordnance device comprising:

means for exploding the device,

means responsive to water leakage into the device for actuating said exploding means; and

means for actuating said exploding means and flooding the device after the passage of a preselected time interval.

2. In an underwater ordnance device having a substantially watertight casing,

main weapon battery means for supplying a predetermined voltage, and

means for exploding the ordnance device in response to a predetermined voltage decrease,

the improvement comprising:

an initially inactive sea water battery serially connected in opposition to the main weapon battery means and positioned within the ordnance device casing;

a pair of normally open contacts serially connected 0 switching means comprises:

an elongate rod;

electrolytic tirning means for longitudinally moving said rod after a predetermined time; and

ring shaped contact means operatively secured to said rod for longitudinal movement therewith for closing said pair of normally open contacts.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said flooding means comprises:

plunger means having a cylindrical cavity formed therein for maintaining the casing watertight; and an elongate piston member connected to said electrolytic switching means and szlideably mounted in said cylindrical cavity. 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said electrolytic switching means comprises an elongate rod, and electrolytic timing means for longitudinally moving said rod a first predetermined distance after a predetermined time; and said flooding means comprises plunger means having a cylindrical cavity formed therein for maintaining the casing watertight, an elongate piston member connected to said rod and slidably mounted in said cylindrical cavity at a distance at least equal to said first predetermined distance from the extremity of said cavity. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said electrolytic switching means further comprises ring shaped contact means operatively secured to said rod for longitudinal movement therewith for closing said pair of normally open contacts; and said pair of normally open contacts and a pair of spacially separated semi-cylindrical ring contacts having a longitudinal separation from said ring shaped contact means by a distance equal to said first predetermined distance. 

1. A destructor sterilizer for an underwater ordnance device comprising: means for exploding the device, means responsive to water leakage into the device for actuating said exploding means; and means for actuating said exploding means and floodIng the device after the passage of a preselected time interval.
 2. In an underwater ordnance device having a substantially watertight casing, main weapon battery means for supplying a predetermined voltage, and means for exploding the ordnance device in response to a predetermined voltage decrease, the improvement comprising: an initially inactive sea water battery serially connected in opposition to the main weapon battery means and positioned within the ordnance device casing; a pair of normally open contacts serially connected to said main weapon battery means; electrolytic switching means for closing said pair of normally open contacts after a predetermined time; and means responsive to a predetermined actuation of said electrolytic switching means for flooding the ordnance device casing and sea water battery therein.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said electrolytic switching means comprises: an elongate rod; electrolytic timing means for longitudinally moving said rod after a predetermined time; and ring shaped contact means operatively secured to said rod for longitudinal movement therewith for closing said pair of normally open contacts.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said flooding means comprises: plunger means having a cylindrical cavity formed therein for maintaining the casing watertight; and an elongate piston member connected to said electrolytic switching means and slideably mounted in said cylindrical cavity.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said electrolytic switching means comprises an elongate rod, and electrolytic timing means for longitudinally moving said rod a first predetermined distance after a predetermined time; and said flooding means comprises plunger means having a cylindrical cavity formed therein for maintaining the casing watertight, an elongate piston member connected to said rod and slidably mounted in said cylindrical cavity at a distance at least equal to said first predetermined distance from the extremity of said cavity.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said electrolytic switching means further comprises ring shaped contact means operatively secured to said rod for longitudinal movement therewith for closing said pair of normally open contacts; and said pair of normally open contacts and a pair of spacially separated semi-cylindrical ring contacts having a longitudinal separation from said ring shaped contact means by a distance equal to said first predetermined distance. 